Mesa man gets life sentence for killing 3-year-old

The following is a press release from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office:

MESA -- County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced today that Christopher Langin (DOB 8/30/74) has been sentenced to natural life in prison plus 27.75 years after being found guilty of First Degree Murder, Child Abuse, and Aggravated Assault in the death of three-year-old Angelene Plummer.

According to the probable cause statement filed by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, on February 8, 2005 paramedics were called to a Mesa home where they found an unconscious child. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. According to the probable cause statement the child suffered numerous injuries consistent with a severe beating. Deputies questioned Langin who said he had been babysitting the child since February 7. Langin was indicted on February 18, 2005. On September 24, 2008 he was found guilty on all charges. The County Attorney's Office was seeking the death penalty. On November 17 2008 a jury ruled in favor of a life sentence. On December 11, 2008, Judge Teresa Sanders sentenced Langin to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional 27.75 years.

The Rural Metro crew that transported the victim has remained dedicated to the prosecution. A representative from the agency was in court for the sentencing. In fact, Rural Metro and sheriff's deputes paid for the child's funeral and burial.

Langin was friends with the child's father, Michael Plummer. At the time of the abuse, Langin was living in a trash strewn trailer behind the Plummer home and that's where he had been babysitting the young victim who was developmentally delayed. Michael Plummer (DOB 2/23/78) is serving an 18 year sentence after he was found guilty of Child Abuse for allowing his daughter to be in the care of someone he knew to be unfit to watch his child.

Thomas stated, "While these guilty verdicts and sentences won't erase the horrible abuse this child suffered, I do hope the outcomes can at least honor her memory. Judge Sanders is to be commended for ensuring that Langin will spend the rest of his life in prison. I also wish to thank the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for working with our dedicated prosecutors."